After that day, James never came home again. It was like Naomi and Celeste had somehow reached a tacit agreement. Neither of them brought him up in their conversation.
As Celeste's birthday drew closer, Naomi helped her prepare invitation cards to hand out at the kindergarten. Celeste happily told her that all the classmates she invited had agreed to come.
Two days before the birthday party, Naomi ran into James and Sophia at the kindergarten.
Liam stood between them, crying with his head down. James and Sophia were comforting him. It turned out that Liam had gotten into trouble, and James had been called in as the parent.
Naomi found the scene ironic. James had never once taken responsibility for Celeste. Yet, he was doing his best to play the role of a good father to someone else's child. It seemed that when one loved another person, they would also love their children unconditionally.
Naomi looked away and turned toward the classroom door just as Celeste walked out.
As she passed by James, Celeste hesitated for a second and politely greeted them. "Mr. James, Ms. Hadley."
James heard her and looked up to glance at her.
"Are you here to pick up your child, Ms. Sloane?" Sophia greeted Naomi warmly.
Naomi nodded and said, "Yeah."
Sophia sighed and lamented, "I envy you, Ms. Sloane. Your daughter is so well-behaved, unlike my son… He's always causing trouble. They're both kids without fathers. How did you raise her so well?"
Naomi stayed silent, but Celeste spoke up first while looking directly at James. "Doesn't he have a dad? Let his dad take better care of him, then," she remarked.
James felt diffident and didn't dare meet Celeste's gaze.
"Please don't say that. James and I are just friends," Sophia said shyly.
Celeste's eyes reddened. She didn't want to hear anymore and quickly said goodbye to them.
"Goodbye, Mr. James. Goodbye, Ms. Hadley." She then led Naomi away briskly.
Naomi could feel James watching her. Even after they had gone far, he was still staring at their retreating backs.
"James Hudson, you have one last chance left," Naomi thought.
That evening, James returned home.
Celeste was feeling dejected. So, Naomi had been keeping her company. They were drawing pictures together.
When they heard the door open, both looked up at the same time.
"Mr. James," Celeste greeted.
"You're back," Naomi said.
They greeted him first. But James merely gave a cold nod and handed a wrapped box to Celeste.
"Is this for me?" Celeste was surprised. This was the second gift she had ever received from him.
"Yes," James replied curtly.
"Thank you, Mr. James." Celeste couldn't hide her excitement and opened the box right away.
Inside was a small toy car built from blocks.
Naomi frowned. She had seen the same gift on Sophia's social media page. It was one of the many presents James had given to Liam.
It turned out that this was something Liam didn't want.
"Teach your child properly and make sure she doesn't speak nonsense again," James scolded Naomi. "And stay away from Sophia."
James had only returned home to issue a warning. He was worried that she might say something she shouldn't to Sophia.
Naomi let out a cold laugh. "Sure."
Noticing that he was still standing in the same spot, she asked dismissively, "Anything else?"
James looked at her. "Transfer Celeste to another kindergarten. She can go anywhere she wants. I'll have someone take care of the admission."
Naomi's heart sank. It seemed that he wanted to sever all ties with them completely.
She looked at Celeste, who had her head down. Soundlessly, her tears fell onto the newly acquired toy car.
"Okay." Naomi knew that there was no point in saying no.
After achieving his goal, James was prepared to leave.
Suddenly, Celeste stood up and ran to him.
Mustering all her courage and with tear stains still fresh on her face, she asked, "Mr. James, the day after tomorrow is my birthday. Can you celebrate it with me? Just this once, please."
Naomi turned her head, unable to bear the sight of the scene before her.
James remained silent as Celeste looked up expectantly, waiting for his answer.
